Kaboom!

All that rumbling was either a sign of a very empty stomach, or perhaps I had swallowed a swarm of butterflies. Boy, if it’s butterflies, they must be having a party. While stirring the pitcher of squeezed-by-my-own-hand lemonade, I chuckled at the thought of party streamers in my stomach. Once again, I glanced at the oven timer. It’s almost to the pre-heat temperature. 

This was to be my debut as the family’s new chef. For my ninth birthday, I’d received a Betty Crocker Junior Cookbook, and for the last few months I’d cooked beside my mother, learning how to follow the recipes. Finally, it was my turn to do it all by myself. My stomach churned again. I’m so nervous I don’t even think I can eat tonight.  The light flashed on the oven, indicating my prized dish of Biscuit Bake was ready for the addition of the refrigerated biscuits. I checked the timer again and realized that once the biscuits were in, there’d only be eight minutes ‘til all was ready. My stomach performed a summersault. I’d better let my family know it’s almost time for dinner. 

Before taking the biscuits out of the roll, I headed for the door. Outside, my mom, dad, and sister had occupied themselves, staying clear of my workspace. I wasn’t sure if it was out of respect or fear for their own safety that they’d chosen such a distance. I guess I have been a little testy all day. I opened the door and yelled, “five more minutes.” Just then…. Kaboom! A thunderous noise came from inside the house. My eyes instantly met my mother’s as she ran towards me like a fast-moving train in slow motion. My dad and sister weren’t far behind. In a fluid motion I, too, turned towards the kitchen, afraid of the calamity awaiting us. I didn’t know if it was fear that slowed me, or if my family had simply taken to flight, but we all arrived on the scene at the same time. An eternity passed as we soaked it all in. 

The Pillsbury Dough Boy had exploded in our kitchen, leaving clumps of pasty goop all over everything. It was up under counters, on top of the refrigerator, and all over the ceiling and floor. Everywhere we looked globs of biscuit dough peeked out, even sizzling up under the florescent lights. Then we eyed the culprit: I had left the roll of refrigerated biscuits on the stovetop while preheating the oven. 

We stood in silent amazement and then, as if on cue, we began to laugh. We laughed so hard we cried. My butterflies were now gone, replaced by the bellyache of laughter. That night after my first gourmet meal—minus the biscuits—everyone helped clean the kitchen as we discovered just how far exploding biscuit-dough can go. Did you know when biscuit dough hardens it turns into this concrete-like substance that has to be chiseled away? I wonder what it does in our stomachs, but that’s another story. I also learned how much my family loved me, not for my cooking skills—and that’s a good thing—but because I’m part of a family that eats and prays together, and one that laughs and works through mistakes together. 

Now, when we gather for a meal someone also quips, “Is the dough boy here?” Do you realize that no one ever talks about the party that was perfect, the holiday where all went smoothly, or the meal that came out as expected? Family stories and memories often center around the events that didn’t go well. This is one of the things I love about the Bible. It is the story of imperfect people making a mess of everything. Think about it. There isn’t a story in the whole Bible where everything went smoothly and no one made a mistake. Jesus is the only perfect one, but everyone around him made a mess of everything. So, where do we get the idea that life is supposed to be a Hallmark movie? Hallmark? It certainly isn’t the Bible, nor is it reality. As the saying goes, life happens.

The next time things fall apart, or a disaster occurs, don’t get all upset. Instead, enjoy some laughter and think of all the great memories you’ve just created. Indeed, there is joy in the messiness of life if we choose to laugh instead of cry. And think about this…you are walking in the shoes of every saint who’s ever lived.

• What disaster event does your family enjoy retelling?

• Is it helpful to see the imperfect situation as a memory-making event? How can you turn tears into laughter in that moment?

Biscuit Bake

1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 can chicken broth

1/2-cup celery, chopped

1 10oz. bag frozen mixed vegetables

1 teaspoon poultry seasoning

1 4 oz. can of sliced mushrooms, drained

1 can cream of celery soup

1 roll of refrigerated biscuits

Preheat oven to 350F. Spray a 2-quart casserole dish with vegetable cooking spray.

In a medium saucepan, combine chicken breasts and broth. Bring to a gentle boil and simmer until done, about 15 minutes. Remove chicken from pan, reserving broth. Shred chicken when cool enough to handle; set aside.

Add celery and vegetables and bring to a boil, simmer for 12 minutes, or until vegetables are tender. In a large bowl, combine shredded chicken, vegetables, soup, mushrooms, seasoning, and remaining broth. Spoon into prepared casserole dish and set aside.

Bake for 50 minutes. Reduce temperature to 300 and add biscuits over top. Bake for 10-15 minutes or until biscuits are golden ---and keep them away from the preheating oven!